Commanders' Terry McLaurin receives disgruntled contract update despite PUP activation

Terry McLaurin is finally off of the PUP list. However, that doesn't mean things are all of a sudden sunshine and rainbows.

Terry McLaurin

Commanders' Terry McLaurin receives disgruntled contract update despite PUP activation originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Washington Commanders and wide receiver Terry McLaurin have been locked in a contract dispute all summer. McLaurin initially held out during the early days of training camp but eventually reported. However, upon arrival, he was placed on the PUP list.

“McLaurin became a hold-in and was placed on the physically unable to perform list with an apparent ankle injury suffered last season, though he participated in spring workouts. By reporting, McLaurin could no longer be fined $50,000 per day,” ESPN’s John Keim wrote.

McLaurin is reportedly seeking a contract similar to DK Metcalf’s, which has been a sticking point in negotiations.

“Both sides have remained firm in their stances. For Washington, the fact that McLaurin will turn 31 when an extension begins has been a key factor. But he was drafted in the same 2019 class as DK Metcalf and has been equally productive. After getting traded to the Steelers this offseason, Metcalf signed a contract worth $33 million per year with $60 million guaranteed. That deal has served as a guide for McLaurin's demands,” ESPN staff wrote.

Regardless of the contract status, Commanders offensive coordinator Cliff Kingsbury believes McLaurin’s presence on the field is critical.

“I'm huge on walkthroughs, on practice, things like that," Kingsbury said. "Because until you get on the grass and actually do it and feel the timing and feel the depths of routes and things of that nature, I don't know exactly how much you can get out of that. I think we're at that point where we need to start getting those guys, when they're available, out there and gelling and seeing what we are as an offense."

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On Saturday, the Commanders officially activated McLaurin, but head coach Dan Quinn clarified that the move had nothing to do with resolving the contract dispute.

“McLaurin went on the PUP list due to an ankle injury, but the move came after a multi-day holdout to kick off training camp so it was easy to connect the two issues. At a Saturday press conference, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that the move was solely because McLaurin has been ‘making good strides’ in returning from injury and that there’s no update to share on the contractual front,” Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper wrote.

At this point, it appears the Commanders are the primary hold-up on finalizing a deal, though McLaurin seems committed to playing with or without a new contract. Still, there’s an underlying sense that a deadline might exist for both sides. For now, the key takeaway is that McLaurin is slowly working his way back onto the field.

Category: Football